Driving mechanism



May 9, 1933. R. A. WALTER DRIVING MECHANISM Filed April 19, 1930 BY QM ATTORN EYS V T v a Patented May 9, 1933 UITQED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAYMOND A. WALTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.; IBERTHA BAER WALTER EXEGUTRIX OF SAID RAYMOND A. WALTER, DECEASED DRIVING MECHANISM Application filed April 19,

This invention relates in general to mechanical movement devicesand more par ticula-rly has reference to a driving mechamsm for a reciprocating conveyor.

The present application is a continuation in part of my prior application s erlal No. 173,136 filed March 5,1927,for driving mechanisms. V

Reference to my prior application will demonstrate that I seek to achieve a driving mechanism for a reciprocating conveyor in which a balanced acceleration and retardation of the forward and backward strokes of reciprocating motion are attained, as the most eficient motion for the operation of a reciprocating conveyor. By the balanced acceleration and retardation of the forward and backward strokes of reciprocating motion, I refer to a motion in which the acceleration and retardation of the backward stroke corresponds, but in the reverse, of that on the forward stroke. Ifind the most eflicient motion for a reciprocating conveyor which can be practically obtained is one in which the movement of a conveyor on the forward stroke is gradually accelerated for substan tially two-thirds the length of the stroke and rapidly retarded for the remainder, and the motion of the conveyor on the backward stroke is rapidly accelerated for substantially one-third its length and gradually retarded for the remainder.

To obtain this desired movement in a compact mechanism. I have employed a bell crank connected to the intermediate portion of a sliding bar carried on revolving cranks, rotated in the same direction by engagement with worm gears keyed on a shaft coupled with the drive shaft of a prime mover. In my prior application I have described adjusting the length of the strokes imparted with, a pair of revolving cranks operatively connected to a bell crank by a sliding bar and the reversal of the strokes to change the direction of the drive, by changing the relative 1930. Serial No. 445,723.

angular relation of the cranks. The cranks described have been constituted of wrist pins fitted in the faces of aligned revolving gears, the wrist pins fitting in longitudinally aligned slots provided in the sliding bar.

Certain improvements now appear efficacious over myprior drive which included a bell crank for imparting the reciprocating motion, operating through an are, rather than reciprocating longitudinally as I at present deem most efficient for the practical operation of a conveyor. Also, the drive described in my first application was adapted to be positioned adjacent a conveyor with the bell crank lever extending underneath the same for connection therewith. I have come to find it more expedient however, to construct the drive to be positioned under the conveyor for anchoring on each side. In this manner the drive may be more securely fixed in position in underground workings by afiixing heavy jacks between the floor and roof of the chamber.

The importance of a mounting of this character will be understood when it is ap preciated that the prior practice has been to almost universally position the driving mechanism to one side, causing exceedingly heavy cantilever stresses to be set up in the jacks during the operation of the conveyor. In constructing the drive so that the same projects underneath and on each side of the conveyor trough to which it is connected, additional space is afforded for affixing jacks and in mounting proportionate numbers of jacks on each side of the conveyor, the shocks and stresses arising in the line of the 0011- veyor act equally against the jacks as a center beam load. The construction of the drive to allow this character of mounting, therefore, with an equivalent pressure on the jacks, allows for four times the holding effect on the driving mechanism.

An object of this invention is to provide a driving mechanism adapted to impart reimpart reverse uniformly accelerated and retarded forward and backward strokes of re ciprocating motion through a longitudinally reciprocating member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a driving mechanism for a reciprocating conveyor adapted to be positioned under and extending over on each sideof the portion ofthe conveyor to which it is ab tached for driving the conveyor in longitudinal alignment of the conveyor and the reciprocating motion imparting member, and for mounting the drive on each side of the conveyor.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a driving mechanism for imparting reverse uniformly accelerated and retarded backward and forward strokes of reciprocating motion which may be adjusted to regulate the length of the strokes, and in which the backward and forward strokes may be reversed to change the direction of the drive.

several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended. claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawing, means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification V Figure 1 is a top view partly in plan of the reciprocating conveyor driving mechanism forming the subject matter of s invention. 1

Figure 2 is a front sectional view of the drive shown connected to a conveyor. I

Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the drive shown connected to a conveyor.

The present invention differs primarily from that disclosed in my prior application, of which this is a continuation in part, in the substitution of bevel gears for operating the main horizontal gears, the reduction being originally effected by the pair of worm gears carried on an extension of the motor shaft. This arrangement allows for a more rigid assembly, the second of the horizontal main gears being driven by an idler gear engaged by the first main horizontal gear. The outstanding difference between this and my prior drive is, however, the substitution of a sliding cross head for the bell crank first employed. The cross head imparts motion to a conveyor in alignment witlr the movement thereof, rather than oscillating through an arc, and allows for an assembly of the drive, capable of extending under a conveyor for mounting on each side. The cross head is driven by connection with a slotted bar carried by wrist pins onthe main horizontal gears, in place of the bel-lcrank in the first drive. Variation of the length of the backward and forward strokes of reciprocating motion or reversal thereof, is similarly accomplished by changing the angular relation of the wrist pins on the faces of the horizontal gears.

Referring more particularly by numerals to the drawing in which the same and similar elements are designatedby like symbols of reference throughout and more especially to Figures 1 and'2,.there is shown the drive embodying a casing with a bottom 1, and upwardly xtending walls 2, the bottom being formed on the side walls above the lower edges thereof which are turned in at the bottom to afford a resilientmonotony. The side walls 2, are provided with extensions 8 and 4 to accommodate the end of a cross head and an idler gear to be later described.

An extension 5 is formed at one corner of the casing adapted to act as a mounting for a suitable source of power, such as an electric motor 6, although any other power source found desirable may be employed. The casing formed by the bottom 1 and the side walls 2 is adapted to receive a plurality of covers 7, 8 and 9. The covers 7 and 9 are fitted on each end of the casing and the cover 8 is fitted on flanges 11 and 12 formed on the covers 7 and 9 respectively.

The end wall of the casing adjacent the motor is formed with an opening adapted to receive a closure 13 provided with a central aperture through which the drive shaft 1 1 of the motor is extended. A bevel gear 15 is keyed on the end of the drive shaft adapted to engage a horizontally positioned bevel gear 16, keyed on a vertical shaft 17. The bottom end of the shaft 17 is journalled in a bearing 18 formed on the bottom 1 and top journalled in a bearing 19 formed in the cover 9. The shaft 17 is provided with reduced extensions 21 and 22 adapted to fit in the bearings and with a reduced portion 23 over wh ich; is fitted a gear 24 which is also keyed thereto. The shaft is formed with a further reduced portion 25 to receive the bevel gear 16.

The gear 24 is adapted to engage a horizontally positioned main gear 26 mounted on the end of shaft 27 and having the other end journalled in a bearing 28 formed in the cover 9. The horizontal main gear 26 is adapted to rotate another horizontal main gear 29 in the same direction, through an intermediate idler gear 31. The idler 31 as shown in Figure 3 is mounted on the top of a vertical shaft 32, the bottom of which is journalled in a bearing 33 formed in the bottom 1 of the casing. The shaft 32 is formed with a portion of increased diameter 34 between the top of the bearing and the bottom of the gear, the top of which is adapted to act as a wearing surface.

The second horizontal main gear 29 is mounted on the bottom of a vertical shaft 35,

the top end of which is j ournalled in a bearing 36 formed in the cover 7 The first horizontal main gear 26, the idler gee-r31, and the second horizontal main gear 29, are adapted to rotate freely on the shafts 27, 32 and 35 respectively, on which the same are 30 rotatably mounted.

The first main horizontal gear 26 is rotated by engagement with the gear 24 on the shaft 17 which is operated by engagement with the bevel gear 13 carried on the drive shaft 14 of the motor, through the horizontal bevel gear 16 keyed on theshaft 17. The second horizontal main gear 29 is driven by the idler gear 31 engaged by the first horizontal main gear 26, the pair of main horizontal gears, the idler gear and the gear 24 keyed on the shaft 17, being in horizontal alignment.

A pair of wrist pins 37 and 38 are seated in the under-faces of the main horizontal gears 26 and 29 respectively. A bar 39 having longitudinally aligned slots 41 and 42 is mounted on the under sides of the main horizontal gears 26 and 29, the wrist pin 37 fitting in the slot 41 and the wrist pin 38 fitting in the slot 42, both being adapted to slide therein. The bottom face of the bar is formed with indentations and 44 adjaonit the slots 41 and 42 respectively, in which blocks 45 and 46 fitted over the wrist pins 37 and 38, are adapted to slide, the blocks being adapted to hold the bar on the wrist pins against the under faces of the gears.

The angular disposition of the wrist pins on the faces of the main horizontal gears is so arranged with respect to the slotted bar 39 that the maximum length of stroke may be obtained. The positioning of the W1" p ns, which in conjunction with the gears rotating on the shafts form in effect crank arms, as shown in Figure 1, are adapted to afford strokes of maximum length for the conveyance of material in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3. A decrease in the length. of the stroke, or a reversal of the same is effected by varying the angular relation of the Wrist pin, this being accomplished by changing the position of one of the wrist pins by rotation of one of the gears With respect to the other. The capacity of transport of the conveyor is of course regulated by the length of the stroke, the maximum length affording maximum conveyance and correspondingly at zero reciprocation, no material is conveyed.

The motion arising in the slotted bar intermediate its length by the wrist pins on the gears carrying the same, is adapted to be i1nparted to a cross head 47 The cross head 47 is provided with flanges 48 and 49 at the bottom adapted to slide in a channel 51 formed in the bottom of the casing 1. A pair of angular guide plates 52 and 53 are positioned against the sides of the channel, the flanges resting on top of the flanges formed on the bottom of the cross head. The cross head as shown in Figure 3 is triangular in shape having an extension 54 at one end formed with a slot 55 adapted to receive the intermediate portion of the bar 39, the bar being pivoted to the cross head by a vertical pin 56. The cross head is adapted to extend through a slot 50 formed in the cover 8 and is providedat the top with an aperture adapted to receive pin 57 which also extends through ears 58 and 59 formed integral on a base 61, suitably affixed to the bottom of a conveyor trough 62 for driving a series of troughs constituting av conveyor unit.

The operation of the drive will be readily understood- The main horizontal gears 26 and 29 are rotated in the same direction by the prime mover 6. The first horizontal gear is rotated by engagement with the gear 23carried on the shaft 17 which is operated by the gear 13 on the driving shaft of the motor engaging the bevel gear 16, also car ried by the shaft 17. The second horizontal gear 29 is rotated with and in the same direction as the first horizontal gear 26 by the idler gear 31 in engagement with both of the main horizontal gears. Reverse uniformly accelerated and retarded forward and backward strokes of reciprocating motion are adapted to be imparted to the cross head 48 by the slotted bar 39 carried on the wrist pins 37 and 38 seated in the faces of the main horizontal gears 26 and 29.

The angular relation of the pins shown in Figure 1 provides for strokes of maximum l ngth, each forward stroke being gradually accelerated for substantially two-thirds its length and rapidly retarded for the remainder, and each backward stroke being rapidly accelerated for substantially one-third its length and gradually retarded for the reinainder, to thus afliord a maximum velocity of transport in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3.

If it is desired to shorten the length of the stroke the idler gear 31 is temporarily unmeshed and without movement of the first horizontal gear 26, the second horizontal gear is rotated clockwise with respect thereto, for example to the position indicated at 63. When the idler gear 31 is replaced, the drive will continue to convey the material in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 but the length of the stroke will be decreased and the capacity of the conveyor correspondingly lowered. With further rotation of the gear 29 after subsequent removal of the idler gear 31 for example to the position indicated at 64 and replacing of the same, no reciproca ing movement will be imparted to'the cross head and hence the conveyor will not be operated. The strokes may be reversed to change the direction of the drive by further changing the angular relation of the wrist pins. If the pin 38 is moved to the position indicated at 66 the drive will impart strokes of maximum length but in the opposite directionto the direction indicated by-arrow 63. It will, of course, be apparent that it is not necessary to disconnect the idler gear tovary the length of strokes or reverse the drive if the wrlst pm 38 is made capable of removal for fitting in successive seats which may be provided in the face of the gear 29.

There is. accomplished by this invention a driving mechanism for a reciprocating conveyor adapted to impart a forward stroke gradually accelerated for substantially twothirds of its length and rapidly retarded for the remainder of the stroke, and a backward stroke rapidly accelerated for substantially one-third its length and gradually retarded for the remainder of the stroke, which is adapted to be mounted under a con veyor and anchored with equal pressure on each side for driving the conveyor at a point in a plane in the longitudinal center of gravity thereof, the drive being adjustable to vary the length of the strokes or to reverse the same for changing the direction of the drive.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A conveyor drive comprising a pair of rotary members revolving in the same direct-ion, an independent sliding member and means carried by the rotary members and pivotally connected to the sliding member to impart backward and forward strokes of reciprocating motion thereto.

2. A conveyor drive comprising a pair of rotary members revolving in the same direction, an independently mounted crosshead and a sliding bar carried by the rotary 'members pivotally connected to the cross head to drive the same.

3. A conveyor drive comprising a pair of rotating cranks revolving in the same direction, asliding' bar carried by the cranks and a cross head driven by the slldmg bar.

4. A conveyor drive comprismg a pair of rotating cranks revolving in the same direction, a sliding bar carried by the cranks and a cross head operated by the sliding bar.

5. A conveyor drive comprising a pair of separated rotating cranks, a cross head transversely mounted between the cranks and a sliding bar carried by the cranks and pivotally connected to the cross head.

6. A conveyor drive comprising a pair of separated rotating cranks revolving in the same direction, a cross head transversely mounted between the cranks and a sliding bar carried by the cross heads intermediately connected to the cross head to drive the same.

7. A conveyor drive comprising a pair of rotating cranks revolving in the same direction, asliding bar connected to a cross head carried by the cranks and means to fix the reaction of the cranks to impart backward and forward strokes of maximum length to the cross head, the forward stroke bemg gradually accelerated for substantially twothirds its length and rapidly retarded for the remainder of the stroke, and the backward stroke being rapidly accelerated for substantially one-third its length and graduthe backward and forward strokes of reciprocating motion imparted to the cross head by changing the relation of the cranks, the relation of the cranks being capable of variation to afford reverse backward and forward strokes of reciprocating motion of maximum and minimum length.

10. A conveyor drive comprising a pair of rotating cranks revolving in the same direction, a cross head, a sliding bar carried by the cranks and connected to the cross head, to impart backward and forward strokes of reciprocating motion thereto, the forward stroke being gradually accelerated for substantially two-thirds its length and rapidly retarded the remainder of the stroke, and the backward stroke being rapidly accelerated for substantially one-third its length and gradually retarded the remainder of the stroke, and means to reserve the strokes and to control the length of the strokes by changing the relation of one crank With respect to the other.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

RAYMOND A. WALTER.

GERTIFIEATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,908, 087. May 9, 1933-.

RAYMOND A. WALTER, Deceased, Whose Executrix is BERTHA BAER WALTER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the "above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 12-, after "idler" second occurrence insert the word "gear"; page 4, line 98, claim 7, for ""reaction" read "relation"; page 5', line 9, claim 10, for "reserve" read "re- "verse"; and that the said Letters latent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of August, A. D. 1933.

M. J. Moore. (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

